Divorce in Devon is changing
While divorce rates in England and Wales are actually at their lowest for 30 years, January is always the busiest time for family lawyers across the country who are inundated with up to 50% more divorce or separation applications.
As Devon experiences its peak divorce period of the year, a group of specially trained family lawyers from across the county are raising awareness of a new and "friendlier" separation process that aims to take some of the conflict, pain and expense out of a family breakdown.
LISTEN HERE: Lawyers act out a typical meeting
As part of National Collaborative Law Week from Monday 24th – Friday 28th January, a group of 29 specialist lawyers who form Devon Collaborative Law are calling for wider understanding of the new alternative to a bitter court-room battle.
LISTEN HERE: Solicitor Emma Benyon-Tinker talks about the process
The lawyers, from individual practices across Devon, specialise in Collaborative Law which was first devised in the US.
Whereas normal divorce proceedings are carried out through letters and in court, with Collaborative Law the separated couple and their lawyers meet face to face around a table and work things through. While the average length of time for a divorce is 18 months, with Collaborative Law it’s six.
In the three years since Devon Collaborative Law was formed, an estimated 75 couples in the county have used the new process.
For more details and to find your nearest lawyer go here: www.devoncollaborativelawyers.com